On the heels of the re-freshed E90...Let's pretend this is happening tomorrow, hey who knows maybe BMW reps really do monitor these boards...

Let's say you got an invitation in the mail to attend a BMW roundtable discussion since YOU already own the current E90. Those involved are there including the designer for both outside and inside of the 2012 3 series sedan also there is a rep from each dealership close to your area. They want your feedback about what you like and what you dislike, they also want to know what you want to see on the 2012 that is not there now or is there but you want enhanced. BMW reps are across the table to hear what you have to say. This is a casual atmosphere during lunch hour, your lunch is provided free by BMW at a 5 star restaurant and desert is included.

This is your time to speak your mind about what is working for you and what can be improved upon, what do you love and don't want changed, what do you NOT want to see happen, how are the following working for you...colors, materials, design elements, from bumper to bumper, it's your discussion. After all you are the 3 series enthusiast and BMW takes this info very seriously so....what say you?

-Use electrolumiscent gauges instead of orange backlighting for the instrument gauges
-For the climate control, add a off button to switch off the whole HVAC so that we don't have to press down so many fan levels
-Better cupholders
-Get rid of RFTs, and add room for spare tire
-Add ventilated seats
-Add backup camera

make the sunroof optional, make leather/alcantara seats available on non m cars, add LSD, shorten the throw of the gearshifter, flare the front fenders to accept 255 width tires

and DON'T listen to the people who are opting out of RFT.. the turn in of the RFT is great and some just don't get that a high wheel rate and aggressive damping will transmit more noise and harshness to the cabin

Equipment:
• Make non-RFTs with full-size spare an option (punctured RFTs lose when it comes to cost, inability to repair, lack of timely availability, etc.).
• Bring back the dipstick; or, at least, provide access to the oil pan from the top of the engine.
• Maintain at least 45-series / 17" option for tires/wheels for those of us who live in pothole country (55/16" is preferable). At some point, styling has to take a back seat to reduced tire/wheel damage risk and lower angular momentum.

Features:
• Watch the Japanese closely for standard electronic convenience features (e.g. Auto-dim mirrors, Homelink, etc.). Don't put new owners in the position of having to field the "you don't have that?" question when the cost of these features is low. The Japanese understand this. (That said, BMW is getting better on this score.)
• Keep the practical aspects of the 3 (e.g. fold-down rear seats, roof rack mounting hardware); if I'd wanted a car like a G37, I would have bought a G37.

Styling aesthetics:
• Resist the trend of more LED lights (they look cheesy in an aftermarket-Civic way). Also, I've been behind cars with one LED out; it looks like hell.
• Keep the cockpit lighting as it is (don't follow the Japanese on this one; it's a car, not a Hollywood spaceship; current lighting is also functional for night vision)
• Watch that styling does not move too far toward the feminine end of the spectrum.

In general, resist the temptation to make the car more of an appliance with no user-serviceable parts. This can be done without making the car less desirable to those who have no interest beyond the cockpit (e.g. don't get rid of the electronic oil level sensor, just put the dipstick back; make non-RFT with full-size spare an option). Recognize that the BMW enthusiast base is one of its greatest differentiators in the marketplace.

Issues from my E46 experience that I hope are now fixed in the E9x:
• Use suspension bushings that are more durable (wore out way too often on E46)
• Address parking brake corrosion problem

Others:
• Make a sunglass tray an option in place of the ashtray (don’t Americans smoke less than Europeans?)
• Fix light polarization problem with radio display (w.r.t. polarized sunglasses); was ok on E46, and the rest of E9x display is polarized correctly.
• Include the 4mm wrench for the sunroof in the tool kit

I'll have the filet mignon, medium well, and a glass of Chardonnay. Wait, what?

LOL I was at the unveiling of the E90 back in 2k5. I asked the product manager if the brake lamps were LED, and he hesitated and said yes. These are the guys who want your opinion, rather funny. They didn't serve filet mignon but I thought the hors d'oeuvres were ok.

On the heels of the re-freshed E90...Let's pretend this is happening tomorrow, hey who knows maybe BMW reps really do monitor these boards...

I can speak from recent experience.. they monitor these boards in some detail, so you are absolutely getting to them. The question is are they listening in any constructive way. One would hope that to be the case.

I was actually thinking today that they need a complete suspension remake....blaming the tires is fine...but I think they really need to rework the whole shebang....it sucks over rough spots in curves....my e46 handled way better. Pisses me off a little bit.

If you want a smooth ride buy a Lexus or a Buick.

OK now that we have taken care of the inevitable response to this post here is my opinion.

+1
There is a lot of room for improvement in the suspension design. The 3 series, particularly with the sport package, leaves a lot of room for improvent when it comes to handling bad surfaces. My wife's Jag XKR Coupe is a lot better at handling poor surfaces and is as fast as my 335i on the twisties. There is a post on this forum that shows that the XKR convertivle was 3 tenths of a second slower around a track than an M3 convertible and faster than a 335i coupe. This says to me that handling and comfort are not mutually exclusive. It would be great if BMW could keep the driving dymanmics but improve the performance on bad road surfacees.